Overview

Maintaining the ability to see night sky stars and increasing the use of best practices in outdoor lighting go hand in hand. As Fort Collins grows there will be more commercial and residential outdoor lighting.

In an effort to support safety, energy conservation, a healthy eco-system, and innovation the City is supporting a Night Sky Initiative of outdoor lighting best practices that eliminate light glare, reduce light trespass, minimize light pollution, conserve energy and protect the natural environment.

Through sustainable efforts the City seeks to:

Maintain safety and security

Develop and implement best practices in outdoor lighting

Reduce light pollution

Support human and ecological health

What Is Light Pollution?

Light pollution is a side effect of urbanization and the increase and necessity for outdoor lighting. While outdoor lighting is critical in many situations, the inappropriate or excessive use has negative effects. Common terms associated with light pollution include:

Glare – excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort

Skyglow – brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas

Light trespass – light falling where it is not intended or needed

Clutter – bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources

Preventing light pollution results in energy and cost savings as well as better lighting of the things we need to see at night.

City of Fort Collins Building Codes address outdoor lighting for both commercial and residential use by requiring Dark Sky Certified lighting fixtures. These rules have been adopted over time and are not retroactive so there are non-compliant fixtures in the community.

Why Is Color Important?

Light can have subtle, and not so subtle, impacts on humans and wildlife. Selecting an appropriate color temperature for lighting needs is important. During high daylight hours (7am-3pm) whiter light matches the natural sunlight in the outdoor environment. Similarly, during non-daylight hours (4pm-6am) warmer colors will better match the natural environment and won't be as wakeful and stimulating to human and animal brains.

More is being learned about blue light and studies show that blue light in dusk through evening hours can have negative effects on humans and wildlife.

How Bright Are We?

Fort Collins average light pollution values are 20 times brighter than natural conditions. This means that a typical sky in the Fort Collins is 20 times brighter than that of a sky with no light pollution. The lowest levels are 7.5 times brighter than natural and the maximum is around 35 times brighter.

Within natural areas and open spaces the average night sky is 4 times brighter than natural conditions. The darkest skies found in Soapstone Natural Area are just 1.1 times darker than natural conditions and offer outstanding views of the cosmos.